Editor’s note: This statement was provided by school board candidate Jackie De Angelis. The Pelham Examiner publishes statements in the form received as a service to the community.

My name is Jackie De Angelis and I am excited to announce my run for Trustee of the Pelham Board of Education. I am running for the BOE to help oversee our already exceptional school system and bring the community voice to the Board.

About Me

My husband, Jeff, and I have been Pelham residents since 2005. I am an executive at a healthcare marketing agency, and Jeff is a scientist at a local medical school. Our daughter, Samantha, is in the 8th grade and has been a student in Pelham Schools since Kindergarten.

Community Advocacy

In late 2020, I mobilized 500+ Pelham parents to drive towards a safe return to full-time in person instruction. I then served on our district’s Reopening Task Force (and now the Covid Committee) to see it through.

My Commitment

As a BOE Trustee, I will strive to make the Board more responsive to community needs and to support the administration in their efforts to offer an excellent education to every student. My goals are to:

1. Set Straightforward Priorities for the District

My priority as a BOE Trustee will be to continue pandemic recovery efforts by focusing on:

• Academic excellence and fully addressing COVID learning loss
• A robust return to all extracurricular activities and sports
• Support for student and teacher well-being

2. Represent the Community on Critical Issues

When parents successfully advocated to the BOE and administration for the acceleration of returning to full-time in person instruction, I was impressed by their ability to come together, get organized, and affect change. As a BOE Trustee, I will ensure that the community’s voice is heard on all critical issues.

3. Keep an Eye on the Future 

I will help set the District up for continued success, by ensuring that:

• The next strategic plan uses straightforward language, is goal-oriented, and prioritizes academic excellence along with student and teacher well-being
• Annual budgets and hiring efforts are aligned to strategic goals, while looking for ways to manage school taxes without reducing services
• Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are removing barriers to achievement, and making all students and teachers feel welcome and represented

4. Set an Example for Our Students

I promise to set a great example for our students by considering the community for Board decision-making, communicating clearly and transparently, and working collaboratively within the Board and with the administration.

Applicable Skills

As a business leader, I have skills that directly apply to a BOE Trustee position. I am:

• Solutions-oriented, seeking quick resolution to challenges and to understand root causes so that improvement is possible
• A “people” business leader, focused on removing obstacles to success for my teams and building a strong, connected culture
• Well-versed in developing budgets and strategic plans, with data-driven performance tracking

In addition to school reopening activities, I serve on my company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Committee which focuses on supporting healthcare and health equity related causes. I was also my daughter’s Girls Scout Troop Leader from K-5.

Every child deserves to put pandemic learning behind them, enjoy their school days, and do their very best work. The same goes for our wonderful teachers. Together we can make this happen.

For more information, please see visit: https://www.jackiedeangelisforpelhamboe.com/ or email me at [email protected].

I will post dates and times for us to meet soon. I look forward to speaking with you. Thank you!